Expression of HIV1 and HIV2 polypeptides and their use

Abstract

A fusion protein with at least one antigenic and/or immunogenic determinant from the env, gag and/or pol region of HIV1 and/or HIV2 which contains the tetrapeptide sequence NH 2 -Met-Tyr-Tyr-Leu as the N-terminal component as well as a process for its production and use.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fusion protein, comprising at least one antigenic or immunogenic determinant from a protein coded for by an HIV2 env region and having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4, fused to a polypeptide not having an antigenic or immunogenic determinant, said polypeptide consisting essentially of an N-terminal sequence --NH 2  --Met--Tyr--Leu.   
     
     
       2. A fusion protein, comprising at least one antigenic or immunogenic determinant from a protein coded for by an HIV1 pol region and an HIV2 env region and having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, fused to a polypeptide not having an antigenic or immunogenic determinant, said polypeptide consisting essentially of an N-terminal sequence --NH 2  --Met--Tyr--Tyr--Leu.   
     
     
       3. A fusion protein, comprising at least one antigenic or immunogenic determinant from a protein coded for by an HIV2 env region, an HIV1 pol region, an HIV1 env region and an HIV1 gag region and having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7, fused to a polypeptide not having an antigenic or immunogenic determinant, said polypeptide consisting essentially of an N-terminal sequence --NH 2  --Met--Tyr--Tyr--Leu.   
     
     
       4. A fusion protein, comprising at least one antigenic or immunogenic determinant from a protein coded for by an HIV2 env region, an HIV1 pol region, an HIV1 env region, an HIV1gag region, poly(Lys,Arg)n as a C-terminal amino acid sequence, and the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 8, fused to a polypeptide not having an antigenic or immunogenic determinant, said polypeptide consisting essentially of an N-terminal sequence --NH 2  --Met--Tyr--Tyr--Leu.